A Day in the Life of a Chronic Migraine Sufferer

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

I woke up with a migraine and just felt weak all over. I attempted to work out, riding stationary bike slowly for 25 minutes. But of course, a migraine followed and became increasingly worse after showering. Sometimes I feel that just living and doing daily activities cause migraines. It seems that no matter what I do I can't prevent or ease the pain for long.

It's going to be a long 5 days off of all meds.

I am going to start taking Depakote ER. I did some googling and found that this medication is used to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy as well. I hope that it will help my migraines.

It seems that everytime I start a new medication it works for awhile, and then the migraines go out of control. Rebound? Maybe. Hopefully this medication free week will tell.

Monday, December 22, 2008

I am an 18 year old Fashion Merchandising major struggling to conquer migraines that occur on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. I have been suffering from chronic headaches since the age of 13, and was diagnosed with transform migraines at age 16. Neck and shoulder muscle tightness and pain has always acompanied my head pain. My migraines are constantly increasing in frequency, pain level, and other symptoms. We have been working with my neurologist for one year to identify triggers and find a successful combination of medications and therapy. I have had an MRI of my brain and my neck and shoulders, as well as a catscan of my brain. Everything has turned out normal.

I created this blog to sympathize with fellow migraine sufferers, as well as their loved ones. I know it is hard for parents and relatives to sit by watching their loved one suffer without much relief. It is especially hard for family members to get rid of the guilt they feel, knowing no matter how much money they spend on their loved one, that the migraines will continue. I also welcome those who do not have friends and family with migraines to follow my blog as well. Migraine is a disease that is more common than ever, and it is so important for people to become aware.

Past therapies include chiropractic care, monthly massage therapy, and counseling. I am currently in physical therapy to work on posture and muscle strength, hoping to rule the neck pain out of the picture--allowing us to strictly focus on the migraines. Past medications include Topamax, Midrin, Amitryptalin, and Verapamil--as well as Tordol and Phenergen shots. Currently, my neurologist is weeding me off the amitryptalin and verapamil in order to begin the last FDA approved medication for migraines.

The past month has been very disappointing. My migraines have been to the extreme--accompanied with dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, fatigue, blurred vision, and anxiety attacks. I have had Tordol and Phenergen shots for the past three weeks, and they have stopped working. By Wednesday, I will be off all migraine medications. I will remain medication free for 5 days before starting my new medication. I am frightened for the rest of the week, as I have already been suffering from the loss of high dosages.

This afternoon I was admitted into the outpatient wing at the er to receive my new shots. I am not sure what I was given, as I was very disoriented. However, the medication was twice as painful as Tordol. The medication made me more disoriented than the actual migraine, as I was unable to walk on my own and extremely out of it. I ate as soon as I got home, and became very shaky with a rapid heartbeat, much like when my migraines first come on strong with anxiety attacks. Thankfully I feel much better now.

The Girl

I'm an 18 year old Fashion Merchandising major struggling to conquer migraines that occur on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. I have been suffering from chronic headaches since the age of 13, and was diagnosed with transform migraines at age 16. My migraines are constantly increasing in frequency, pain level, and in accompanying symptoms. We have been working with my neurologist for over a year to identify triggers and find a successful combination of medications and therapy--which is not such an easy task.